KI-NET | Energy transduction in KInetically asymmetric catalytic NETworks

Summary
Endergonic processes are central to Life. They are achieved by enzymes, that change conformation during their catalytic cycle. Thus, biological non-equilibrium processes are catalysis-driven. The realization of catalysis-driven processes in artificial systems proved challenging. It remains limited to synthetically demanding interlocked structures, which were upgraded with catalytic features affecting ring sliding motion.

With KI-NET, I want to develop a general biomimetic strategy enabling endergonic processes driven by chemical catalysis. I plan to invert the current approach by introducing defined conformational freedom into simple catalytic units.
KI-NET scientific objectives go beyond state of the art in chemically-driven non-equilibrium systems, with the aim to:
(i) establish an unconventional theoretical approach based on “effective transition states”, that guides experiments and reveals common underlying principles for catalysis-driven processes and chemical oscillations;
(ii) realize endergonic conformation changes powered by catalytic processes, including ATP hydrolysis;
(iii) promote endergonic assembly reactions, that will reveal how energy consumption directs chemical adaptation;
(iv) realize an artificial synthase: a catalyst that harvests energy from one reaction and uses it to drive a different one.

I will implement a theory-guided experimental approach at the interface between systems chemistry and molecular machines. Leveraging my broad chemistry background, I will address questions that expand towards physics – in terms of formalizing models – and biology – in terms of operating systems to be imitated and unraveled.
Realizing KI-NET allows overcoming thermodynamic boundaries. Unforeseen opportunities become possible in material science and energy management, such as the realization of artificial mitochondria. Indeed, KI-NET pioneers a largely unexplored area of science at the roots of dissipative systems, complex phenomena, and –ultimately, Life.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101041933
Start date: 01-09-2022
End date: 31-08-2027
Total budget - Public funding: 1 786 748,00 Euro - 1 786 748,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Endergonic processes are central to Life. They are achieved by enzymes, that change conformation during their catalytic cycle. Thus, biological non-equilibrium processes are catalysis-driven. The realization of catalysis-driven processes in artificial systems proved challenging. It remains limited to synthetically demanding interlocked structures, which were upgraded with catalytic features affecting ring sliding motion.

With KI-NET, I want to develop a general biomimetic strategy enabling endergonic processes driven by chemical catalysis. I plan to invert the current approach by introducing defined conformational freedom into simple catalytic units.
KI-NET scientific objectives go beyond state of the art in chemically-driven non-equilibrium systems, with the aim to:
(i) establish an unconventional theoretical approach based on “effective transition states”, that guides experiments and reveals common underlying principles for catalysis-driven processes and chemical oscillations;
(ii) realize endergonic conformation changes powered by catalytic processes, including ATP hydrolysis;
(iii) promote endergonic assembly reactions, that will reveal how energy consumption directs chemical adaptation;
(iv) realize an artificial synthase: a catalyst that harvests energy from one reaction and uses it to drive a different one.

I will implement a theory-guided experimental approach at the interface between systems chemistry and molecular machines. Leveraging my broad chemistry background, I will address questions that expand towards physics – in terms of formalizing models – and biology – in terms of operating systems to be imitated and unraveled.
Realizing KI-NET allows overcoming thermodynamic boundaries. Unforeseen opportunities become possible in material science and energy management, such as the realization of artificial mitochondria. Indeed, KI-NET pioneers a largely unexplored area of science at the roots of dissipative systems, complex phenomena, and –ultimately, Life.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2021-STG

Update Date

09-02-2023
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2021-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2021-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS